Prison for burglar of Broadstairs home who was snared by evidence from blood-stained towel

A blood-stained towel left at the scene of a burglary in Broadstairs has led to a three-year prison sentence for a Canterbury thief.

Kye Shipman-O’Connor admitted intending to steal when he broke into the property in Queens Gardens in Broadstairs on Wednesday, April 24.

He was disturbed in his attempts when the resident of the property returned home and so he hid in the attic until later. The victim heard noises above her and went upstairs to find the loft hatch and a nearby window was open and roof tiles had been damaged. The damage caused to the property was estimated as more than £1,800.

Nothing was stolen from the property but a suitcase filled with snatched items was found in the bathroom, along with a towel covered in blood.

Tests on the towel placed 20-year-old Shipman-O’Connor at the scene of the burglary.

Shipman-O’Connor pleaded guilty to the offence of burglary with intent to steal when he appeared at Canterbury Crown Court yesterday (July 1).

Shipman-O’Connor, of The Hoystings Close in Canterbury, also admitted handling stolen goods after he was seen on a train on April 8, carrying a holdall bag which had been stolen the same day from a property in Whitehall Gardens in Canterbury.

He was jailed for three years and the court heard he was already out on licence for similar offences when he committed the crimes.

Senior investigating officer Detective Sergeant Jay Robinson said: “This is a shining example of how burglars think they can steal from others without a care for the victims affected, and assume they can hide from justice, whether it’s in a loft or on a train.

“However my team of officers are determined and will review all available evidence and CCTV footage in case it provides a crucial clue to identify who is responsible for the crime.

“Our message to burglars is clear: We will find you – wherever you hide – and bring you before the courts to answer justice.”